
Class. 






S^^IB 



A History of 
Somerville Journalism 
Somervillc Historical Society 
Publication No. 1 






Cci!'^^iefi J:^^ 




MRS. BARBARA GALPIN. 



HISTORY 



or 



SOMCRVILLC JOURNALISM 



BY 



MRS. BARBARA GALPIN 

'r 



WITH A LIST OV- 



Members, Officers, and Committees 



or THE 



SOMERVILLE HISTORICAL SOCIETY 



JUNE, 1901 



p. 

PaW. 
19F'04 




JOHN F. AYER. 



Somerville, Mass., June 15, 1901. 
"Mrs. Barbara Galpin : — 

"My dear Madam, — The Somerville Historical Society is 
about to begin the publication of some of the valuable papers 
read before its members from time to time, together with other 
matters of interest to the society and the public. Allow me to 
ask whether you will furnish a copy of the one you read before the 
society last winter, entitled 'A History of Somerville Jour- 
nalism ? 

"Recognizing, as we must, the power of the press, and its 
great influence and importance in the ever busy world of to-day, 
appreciating the high standard of excellence always maintained 
by its present representatives in Somerville, I deem your histori- 
cal paper worthy of preservation, and earnestly suggest that you 
permit the society to print the same as above indicated. 
"Awaiting your favorable reply, I remain, 
"Yours truly, 

"John F. Ayer, 
"President Somerville Historical Society." 



A History of Somerville Journalism. 



The first regular publication in Somerville of which I can 
find any copy or information was "The Gem," a monthly paper of 
four pages, published by Alfred L. Elliot on Webster avenue, 
Somerville. The first number was issued January 1, 1861, and 
was an illustrated one, having the cut of an American eagle in 
the heading and a picture of General Washington on the second 
page. The editorial in this tiny paper is worth reading to you, 
to show how high an ambition the boy editor had, and what he 
expected to do with forty-eight inches of space. The editor said : 
"In presenting to the public the first number of 'The Gem,' I 
hope it will be considered as such. I intend to devote a portion 
of it to history, another portion to biography, a part of its col- 
umns to poetry, anecdotes, enigmas, etc. Each number will 
contain a record of the events of the past month. Thus I will 
endeavor to make it interesting to all. My only solicitude is that 
it will not be remunerative, but I shall publish it as long as I have 
one subscriber." The terms of payment were strictly in advance : 
Two cents for a single copy, six cents for six months, or ten 
copies for that time for fifty cents. 

The first number contained an article on the gunpowder 
plot, a sketch of the life of Washington, "to be continued," a 
poem on the New Year, signed "Z. E.," and probably the young 
editor's mother, enigmas, bits of advice, short paragraphs, and 
witty sayings. The present sixty-page Sunday paper might 
learn a valuable lesson from "The Gem" in condensing matter. 



About this time Edwin M. Bacon, now editor of the "Time 
and the Hour," and a writer of several historical works, and 



Charles B. Hollander published a little paper called "Every Once 
in a While." In the prospectus sent out "to the world in general 
and their friends in particular," the editors said : — 

"The undesigned herewith announce their intention of pub- 
lishing a newspaper bearing the above title, the first number of 
which — if the fates prove not averse — will be issued by next New 
Year's day, or as soon after that as the state of the funds in their 
exchequer will permit ; the publication to be continued from that 
time as a monthly. 

"To warrant them in this enterprise, they will require 'mate- 
rial aid' from the public, and this prospectus is now issued by 
them as a subscription list, to which, they trust, their friends will 
see the necessity, and have the magnanimity to affix their names, 
as below. 

"One thing which we wish to impress upon the reader's mind 
is this : That the work is to be done entirely by ourselves, and 
this fact may prevent our fulfilling engagements with the strictest 
promptitude, and is also partly the reason of our adopting the 
above somewhat ambiguous heading. 

"Our terms will be one dollar per year, subscriptions taken 
for six months at a proportionate rate; payable on the publica- 
tion of the first number. 

"We remain, very respectfully, the public's most obedient 
and humble servants, 

"E. M. Bacon, 
"C. B. Hollander." 

The paper of this date, January 1, 1861, contained a story by 
Mrs. N. T. Munroe, a poem by Mrs. E. A. Bacon, a sketch on 
"True Politeness," by P. H. Raymond, besides editorial notes 
and comments, and a review of the "Events of the Past Fall." I 
think only two editions of this paper were issued. 

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ *t* ♦ 

In the fall of 1870 Pythian block, Union square, was finished, 
and nearly all sorts of business interests were represented within 



its walls. One room remained vacant, and Ira Hill, the owner, 
had rented part of his real estate office to Charles D. Elliot, the 
first president of this association. 

"What can I get into that vacant room that will pay?" said 
Mr. Hill to Mr. Elliot one day. 

"Get a newspaper; Somerville needs one," said Mr. Elliot. 

"All right, I will." 

Within a short time W. A. Greenough & Co., the directory 
publishers, started a paper which has been one of the leading fac- 
tors in the upbuilding of the city— the Somerville Journal. The 
first number was issued December 3, 1870, a seven-column, four- 
page paper, containing much miscellaneous matter and a small 
amount of local news. 

There are followers of every good plan, so the Charles- 
town Chronicle concluded to place another paper in the Somer- 
ville homes, and on December 31, 1870, the first number of the 
Somerville Gazette was published, it really being the Charles- 
town paper with two columns of Somerville news on the first 
page. Evidently this paper did not receive the patronage ex- 
pected, for it lived but a short time, ending its brief existence 
April 15, 1871. 

♦ ♦ ♦:♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ 

The next paper of which I can find any trace is the Somer- 
ville Chronicle, started April 4, 1871. The editors of this venture 
were A. B. Morss and H. W. Pitman. In their greeting to the 
public, the editors express their opinion that "there is a demand 
in this growing municipality for a journal of the class we intend 
to represent ; we shall make an honest and determined effort to 
supply the citizens of Somerville with a local organ which shall 
be a vehicle of such news as will specially interest them." Its 
columns were to be devoted "to the upbuilding of Somerville, in- 
dependent of all parties, and subservient to no clique." The first 
paper contained city hall matters, the report of a young man of 
nineteen dying in a liquor saloon on Milk street, from excessive 
drinking, a recommendation that part of Bow street, from Union 



square to Summer street, be called Summer street, a directory of 
city officials, secret societies, and the post-office, quite an amount 
of advertising matter and miscellaneous articles. This paper 
was discontinued after a few months. 

•:• ♦:• ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ 

The next newspaper venture in Somerville was the Somer- 
ville Citizen, senior, which made its first appearance October 7, 
1876, a four-page affair, like all its predecessors, and published 
by Thomas Scott & Co., Union square. This was Mr. Scott's 
second appearance in Somerville newspaper work, he havmg 
been one of the early publishers of the Journal. This paper an- 
nounced that it intended to do the "greatest good to the greatest 
number ; with a kind heart and a clear conscience to work for 
the many, not for the few." In this first issue was a column by 
Schnapps, in which many things were touched upon which 
seemed to be neither dignified nor kindly, a department which 
left a slur on some one,— irrespective of sex. This paper went 
to join the majority of other papers which had been started in 
Somerville, and the next one to enter the field was the Somer- 
ville Advertiser, beginning its existence about January 1, 1878. 
This was published at 422 Somerville avenue by Haskell 
brothers, and was another four-page sheet, filled with quite a 
large amount of local matter, a lively people's column, and mis- 
cellaneous matter. It was pubHshed for about three years. 
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ 

The Firemen's Standard was started as a monthly in Septem- 
ber, 1879, by James M. Gould, and was devoted to the interests 
of firemen in New England. In 1885 it became a semi-monthly, 
and was published in Hill building, being printed by the Somer- 
ville Journal Company. In 1894 it was removed to the new 
Journal building. In the fall of 1899 Mr. Gould removed to Bos- 
ton, believing that the New England patrons would be better 
accommodated in Boston than in a suburban town. 



The Golden Cross Journal, a monthly paper, was first issued 
in June, 1880, by Dr. Edward Hartshorn, in the interest of the 
Golden Cross, a national benefit insurance organization. It was 
printed bv the Somerville Journal Company for fifteen years, at- 
taining a'circulation of 11,000 copies. For the convenience of 
its patrons, the publication was transferred to Boston m 1895, 
and it has continued its prosperous career since under the able 
management of Dr. Hartshorn, and is circulated in every state 
in the union. 

♦:« ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ 

A more pretentious affair was the next newspaper, the Somer- 
ville Transcript, it being an eight-page publication. It started 
in June, 1882, and the price was five cents a copy. The first edi- 
tion had among its forty-eight columns of matter half a column 
of local items, and about a column of editorial comments. The 
rest of the space was filled with plate matter and a strange array 
of advertisements. This seems to be about the first Somerville 
publication that introduced the poetical advertisement, and this 
was probably due to the editor, George Russell Jackson, who 
became known nearly the world over as a song-writer, a poet, 
and a wonderful composer of witty paragraphs. He it was who 
began the Penciling column of the Somerville Journal and con- 
ducted it for many years. Mr. Jackson was a keen, bright 
Scotchman, thoroughly educated, well informed, and with great 
natural ability. His songs are heard in many homes to-day, and 
his witty sayings are still traveling around the country, although 
he has been "sleeping under the leaves," as he termed death, for 
more than a year. This paper did not supply a "long-felt want," 
and after three numbers it, also, became a thing of the past. 
♦> ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ 

The first number of the Somerville High School Radiator 
was issued December 23, 1882, from the office of the Somerville 
Journal. In its first season of seven months it was conducted 
exclusively by William E. Brigham, editor, Miss Annie Coffin, 



associate editor, and Wilton L. Farnham, business manager. It 
was an eight-page sheet, unillustrated. Throughout the first era 
of its existence it was almost wholly an original production, even 
to its joke column. It became a twelve-page paper with the 
graduation issue of 1883, and a sixteen-page one on June 24, 
1884. Mr. Brigham was also the editor of the paper in its second 
season, but C. Fred Smith, now one of the leading business men 
of Lynn, became financial manager, and a staff of assistant edi- 
tors was added, consisting of Misses Annie Coffin, Addie M. 
Brown, Alice M. Buswell, and Annie B. Stevens, and Charles L. 
Young, J. Fred Galletly, and Frank O. Watson. 

The Radiator and its projectors took the lead in the amateur 
journalism of the state, which was then at its height, supported 
local athletics, made a gallant, but unsuccessful, fight for the 
introduction of military drill in the high school, and succeeded 
in securing the adoption by the boys of uniform school caps, of 
the naval pattern, a few of which have been seen occasionally of 
late years. After three issues in the fall of 1884, the Radiator 
fell by the wayside, not to rise again until the fall of 1895, when 
it resumed publication, which has since been continued. 

The first editor of the resuscitated Radiator was Herman T. 
VanDusen, and the first business manager Lyman C. Hurd, Jr. 
Several of its staff have graduated to professional journalism, 
and many of its early supporters and contributors have honored 
their school and its courageous little champion in professional 
and other positions of importance and trust. 

Following along in line came the Somerville Sentinel, which 
started in the fall of 1885, and was first published by the Mc- 
Donnell brothers in Union square. It was an eight-page publi- 
cation, catering to the Democratic element of the city. After 
about six years' existence, it changed its heading and general 
style and continued its struggle for a little time longer, then 
sought the happy hunting grounds of so many Somerville liter- 
ary ventures. 



The next paper in Somerville was not only a failure, but a 
disgrace to its name and to the city. It was called "The Som- 
erville Truth," but there was very little of that quality used in 
its composition. In its so-called work of reform it attacked the 
innocent, misrepresented the earnest workers for good, maligned 
city officials, and should have been excluded from every home 
in the city. It began its reckless career about January 1, 1883, 
in Masonic building, Union square, with D. E. W. Stone as pub- 
lisher. Later on, in 1884, the late H. C. Gray, of Maiden, asso- 
ciated himself with Mr. Stone in the publication of Truth ; it 
was enlarged to an eight-page paper, and was published in 
Eberle building. Nearly as much space was devoted to Charles- 
town and Cambridge news as to Somerville interests, and al- 
though the tone of the paper was improved under Mr. Gray's di- 
rection, it never received the respect of the Somerville people, 
and when its unhealthy life ended, no one regretted it. 



E. Gerry Brown, of Charlestown, now the famous Socialist 
agitator of Brockton, was the next man to give to the people of 
Somerville a paper which should fill a "long-felt want," and for 
a second time the Somerville Chronicle appeared in the hands 
of the newsboys. Like its predecessors, it tried to cover the 
world of art, literature, and local happenings, and, like all its pre- 
decessors with but one exception, the Journal, it went out of life 
unmoumed and unsung in May, 1885. 



In 1887 the first and only newspaper ever published by a 
woman in Somerville made its appearance. This was "The 
Home Life," edited and published by Mrs. M. D. Frazar, one 
of Somerville's brightest and brainiest women. As its name in- 
dicated, it was devoted to the interests of the home, was pure in 
tone, helpful in spirit, and exceptionally interesting. Although 
published in Hill building, Somerville, it circulated largely in the 



10 



West, and attained a circulation of 20,000 copies, the largest cir- 
culation of any paper ever published in Somerville. Owing to 
Mrs. Frazar's removal to Mexico, the paper was stopped, but 
during its existence it was a credit to the woman who published 
it and to the city from whence it went. 

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ 

The first number of The Writer was issued by Robert Luce 
and William H. Hills in April, 18S7. Mr. Hills bought Mr. 
Luce's interest in The Writer in September, 1888, and began the 
publication of The Author, a companion magazine to The Writer, 
in January, 1889. In January, 1892, The Author was merged in 
The Writer, which is still published. 

♦ »:• ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ 

The Somerville Citizen was established August 17, 1888, and 
was the second one of the same name. The movement to estab- 
lish this paper originated with John Herbert, Esq., and Wilbur 
S. Clarke, who had the co-operation of President E. H. Capen, 
of Tufts College, J. Warren Bailey, Richard E. Nickerson, 
Frank E. Hodgkins, and William Taylor in the promotion of the 
enterprise. These gentlemen composed the first board of direc- 
tors, with E. H. Capen as president and John Herbert as treas- 
urer. The other stockholders were M. W. Carr, F. M. Kilmer, 
C. C. Davis, S. C. Darling, Wilham Franklin Hall, W. H. Hodg- 
kins, Joseph H. White, David Cummings, M. P. Elliott, F. E. 
Fitts, L. P. Hollander, W. M. Armstrong, F. H. Hardison, A. H. 
Carvill, R. D. Pratt, E. A. Stone, R. C. Downer, and J. H. 
Brooks. The company was formally organized and incorpo- 
rated as the "Citizen Publishing Company," October 15, 1888. 
Changes have occurred since, the company now publishing the 
paper having been incorporated March 20, 1899, under the name 
of "The Citizen Company," with the following officers: Presi- 
dent, John Herbert; vice-president, J. Warren Bailey; clerk 
and treasurer, E. L. Pease; who, with F. E. Dickerman, com- 
pose the board of directors. 



11 



The editor of the Citizen says that it was the aim of the pro- 
moters to furnish a paper which should advocate good govern- 
ment, assist by its influence in the election of the best qualified 
men to public office, and to creditably represent and conserve 
local interests. The editorial department has been successively 
under the charge of Rev. J. F. Bartlett, F. H. Hardison, Edgar 
R Perry Fred A. Draper, W. E. Brigham, and E. L. Pease, the 
present incumbent. The same gentlemen have also acted as 
business managers of the paper. 

The office of the Citizen at first was in the Stickney building, 
corner of Pearl and Marshall streets, but in 1891 it was moved 
into larger quarters in Oilman square, where it is now located. 
A well-equipped job plant is an auxiliary to the mechanical de- 
partment, the company having always printed the paper. Al- 
though published at Winter hill, the Citizen has not been sec- 
tional in its aim or scope. 

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ •> <♦ 
In the winter of 1893, January 6, the Somerville News made 
its appe-rance. This was a seven-column, four-page paper for 
six weeks, then a four-column, small, twelve-page paper, but 
after a few weeks it returned to its original size. H. W. P. Col- 
son was the first proprietor ; in less than a year it passed into the 
hands of F A. Draper. Later on several newspaper men tried 
to steer it to success, but to no avail. It went the same way as 
many of its predecessors, and was not seriously missed. 

♦:♦ ♦:♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ *> 

The latest aspirant for public favor in the Somerville news- 
paper world is the West Somerville Reporter, a small, four-page 
affair, which was issued for the first time on December 15, 1899. 
C. F. Blanchard is the proprietor, and the price is only fifty cents 
a year. 




SOMERVILLE JOURNAL BUILDING. 



You will pardon me if I go back to the beginning and tell 
you something more of the history of the Somerville Journal. 
The first number was issued December 3, 1870, and was a four- 
page sheet, with seven columns to a page, and this first number 
contained ten columns of advertisements and eighteen columns 
of reading matter. In six months' time this proportion had 
changed to sixteen columns of advertisements and twelve col- 
umns of reading matter — a sure indication of success. In the 
first number appeared a notice about the opening of St. Thomas' 
church, to be occupied the following Sunday, and also the foun- 
dation of St. Joseph's church was mentioned. A church direc- 
tory was printed, which included eleven churches. 

In the issue of December 24, 1870, appeared an article on 
Somerville's need of a town hall, and in that paper the first origi- 
nal poem by G. B. Hunnewell was printed, as well as the collec- 
tor's notice of sixty-four estates to be sold for non-payment of 
taxes. A report of S. Z. Bowman appearing before a com- 
mittee of the Massachusetts legislature February 6, on the bill 
for keeping libraries open on Sundays, was in the issue of Feb- 
ruary 11, 1871, and two weeks later I find a lengthy article on 
"Parks — Shall we have one?" and recommending for the purpose 
the area from Central street to Cedar street. 

In March of that year a two-column poem by Frank M. 
Hawes, read at the high school reunion, was published in the 



13 

Journal, as well as a class ode by Miss Louise A. Vinal. In the 
paper of March 4, 1871, a valedictory by W. A. Greenough, Jr., 
was given : at that time the Journal passed into the hands of J. 
A. Cummings & Co., the firm consisting of J. A. Cummings, G. 
W. Cummings, and Russell H. Conwell. In this paper the 
news items were greatly increased in number, and an editorial 
note is as follows : — 

"The Journal of last week had a bona fide sale of eleven hun- 
dred more copies than ever. It is so much better than we ex- 
pected that we think of hiring Horace Greeley to write for us 
on annexation and sewerage." Later in that month it is re- 
corded that annexation is a "gone coon," "now for a city char- 
ter," and the proposed charter was printed March 18, 1871. 

On the first of April, 1871, the Journal removed to No. 10 
Union square. In that month a little attention was paid to 
women by the printing of a column of New York fashions ; evi- 
dently it was not appreciated, for the column was not continued. 

In the Journal of April 29, 1871, was given a list of the legal 
voters in Somerville October 28, 1813. The first editorial in a 
Somerville paper about a woman was in the Journal of this date, 
and was about Miss Irene Locke, a teacher, who began her work 
when the town came into being, and, on account of ill health, she 
was obliged to resign. In the fall of 1871, September 26, four 
names are mentioned as candidates for the first mayor of the new 
city, — C. H. Guild, J. R. Poor, Mr. Thayer, and George O. 
Brastow, the editorial urging the election of Mr. Brastow. In 
the issue of December 9 I find that twenty-five men are men- 
tioned for mayor, three of whom afterward filled the position, but 
the Journal's candidate, George O. Brastow, was the successful 
one. 

The publication of the exercises of graduation at the schools 
was begun in July, 1871, and on August 12 a sketch of Somer- 
ville history was given. Another valedictory was published De- 
cember 30, 1871, by the editor. Rev. R. H. Conwell, and J. A. 
Cummings, who had been the business manager, now assumed 
the editorial duties. 



14 



From the first the People's column was a prominent feature 
of the paper, and church, society, and musical matters received 
a fair .hare of attention. Deaths and marriages were put m oc- 
casionally, but the wedding and obituary notices were few and 

far apart. , . r \ -i 

The first enlargement of the Journal was the issue of April 
20 1872 when a supplement was made necessary for the publi- 
cation of the citv ordinances. In May of that year the Journal 
was working earnestly for the temperance cause, and regretting 
that ^he vote for prohibition was lost by a vote of 256 against 
162 Ward Three being the only ward voting for prohibition. 
About this time items under the heading of "Personals," m smah 
type and few in number, appeared, as if a little ashamed of their 

boldness. 

September 23, 1871, was published a list of tax-payers whose 
tax was $500 or more ; there were forty-nine residents and nme- 
teen non-residents in the list. The first wedding ceremony to be 
reported in the Journal was in the same paper, and was that of 
General and Mrs. Douglas Frazar, and it was a report which has 
never been equaled for variety, style, and detail in the Journal 



since 



After a successful management of the Journal, Major Cum- 
mings sold it to Thomas Scott. Under his management, as- 
sisted by Charles St. John, it was successful financially, but it 
supported measures which would not be advocated by the pres- 
ent manager. 

In May, 1875, the Journal became an eight-page paper, and 
had an illustrated story by Edward A. Kelley. Bourne Spooner 
was the editor and proprietor at this time, having bought it in 
May, 1874, and its tone was much better than under the previous 
management. Newspaper errors crept into the columns of the 
paper then as now, and in a marriage notice of September 25, 
1875, by a curious mistake, I find it reported that a well-known 
East Somerville man was married to two women at the same 
time and by the same minister. 



15 



In 1875 four physicians advertised in the Journal who are 
still in practice in Somerville— A. H. Carvill, E. L. White, H. C. 
White, and J. F. Conch. Two Somerville men have advertised 
in the Journal continuously since the paper started— S. H. Libby 
and J. Q. Twombly. In November, 1875, a series of articles on 
SomervTlle industries was started, but only one, that about the 
Union glass company, was published at that time. 

On October 21, 1876, the editor. Bourne Spooner, made the 
announcement that he had severed his connection with the paper, 
and J. O. Hayden, the present manager, took it. In Mr. Hay- 
den's salutatory he said that he should make no new departures 
from the policy of his predecessor, as he had no hobby to ride 
and no axe to grind beyond a sincere desire to publish a paper 
which should be a credit to the city and a paying investment to 
the proprietor. Edward A. Kelley, a former editor, was asso- 
ciated with Mr. Hayden as managing editor. Immediately a 
different tone was given to the paper. Where it had been sup- 
porting license, it now made a vigorous protest against liquor 
selling in Somerville, and the absence of liquor shops in our city 
to-day is largely due to the Journal. In the issue of December 
2, 1876, we find a change, the paper then being published by J. 
O. Hayden & Co., and it continued in that way until May, 1890, 
when a stock company was formed, with the late O. S. Knapp 
as president, and J. O. Hayden as manager and treasurer. 

In December, 1876, the Journal advocated the forming of a 
national bank, and continued to advocate it until it was estab- 
lished. The forming of public parks has always been urged by 
the Journal, and on becember 23, 1876, a plan of the public park 
on Central hill was pubHshed. Later on, in speaking of a park 
system, attention is called to the fact that while $1,000,000 is 
estimated as the cost for the scheme, $10,000,000 will be needed 
to perfect it. 

Among the subjects editorially treated and supported by the 
Journal at this time were vacation schools, and a board of health 
organized under the act of the legislature which would give full 



16 



powers to the board. Previous to this the board of health had 
been composed of the mayor and board of aldermen. The Jour- 
nal strongly advocated taking advantage of this act to establish 
such a board. 

In April, 1877, the present form of the local page was 
adopted, which has been copied by nearly every publication 
started in SomerviUe. 

The one feature which has made the SomerviUe Journal 
known in every state in the union, and from which quotations 
are everywhere made, is the Penciling column. This has had 
but three writers since its adoption, I think, and was started, as 
I said previously, by the versatile George Russell Jackson; C. 
H. Hoyt, the play-writer, had charge of it for a year, and W. H. 
Plills has conducted the column for the past fifteen years. 

The first fully illustrated article in a SomerviUe paper was 
in the Journal. It was unique, to say the least; and described 
minutely the Ghost story of Cambridge, the haunted house of 
1878. Another feature of the Journal which was widely read 
was the police reports of 1878. Mr. Jackson wrote them, half 
in poetry, half in prose, and each one was a literary gem, despite 
the subject. In June of that year a children's department was 
started, and Mrs. A. E. Pickens, formerly of Winter hill, was a 
frequent contributor. 

The Journal, in an editorial in January, 1879, on "Rapid 
Transit," said, in regard to a petition which had been presented 
to the legislature asking for the authority to build an elevated 
railway through Boston, Cambridge, SomerviUe, and Chelsea, 
that, while it did not look as if the project would go through at 
this time, there could be no doubt but that a road would be built, 
and that to SomerviUe such a road would be a matter of great 
importance. Later, in May, 1879, an editorial gave the infor- 
mation that the elevated railway enterprise was evidently not des- 
tined to die, "even when so powerful a body as the legislature sits 
down upon it." 

In September, 1881, the valuable and scholarly articles on 



17 

Egypt, entitled "Recollections of the Past," by Judge Isaac 
Story, were begun, and continued for a year, attracting much at- 
tention from learned men all over the country. Later in the 
same year the Journal editorially advocated and urged the im- 
portance of keeping the streets lighted during the entire night, 
not only for the convenience of residents, but also as a protection 
against' crime. , It also advocated the idea of making the no- 
license vote hold over for more than one year. 

The first picture of a Somerville person to be printed in a 
Somerville paper was that of Hon. John A. Cummings on his 
election as mayor, January 7, 1883. To show how this branch ot 
the business has developed, I will say that in the Journal of 
January 5, 1900, forty double and single column half-tone cuts 
were used. In July, 1882, several things were added to the Jour- 
nal's outfit, two of which aroused much interest — the telephone 
and a patent machine for folding, pasting, and cutting the paper. 

In the Journal of April 18, 1885, is this notice : "After many 
years, our city, with its 33,000 inhabitants, has its first bank, the 
Somerville savings bank." 

A review of the census statistics from 1850 to 1885 was given 
September 19, 1885, and although it may not be keeping strictly 
to my subject, I would like to quote it : — 

POPULATION. 

Gain 
Popu- per 
lation. cent. 

1850 3,540 

1855 5,806 Q6 

1860 8,025 40 

1865 9,353 16 

1870 1-1,685 58 

1875 31,868 50 

1880 34,933 14 

1885 29,992 20 

In the issue of September 26, 1885, I find an editorial urging 
that a section of the new library be set apart for Somerville his- 
torical matter, which would be of value to future historians, and 



a week later was published a long story of the dedication of the 
library. A very interesting article on Boston history was pub- 
lished in September, 1886. In the fall of that year, 1886, the 
subject of electric lighting w^as agitated, aud on Christmas eve 
of that year the lights were used for the first time. 

In 1888 wood cuts, mostly double-column ones, were used, 
and the pictures of the late Charles E. Oilman, George I. Vincent, 
city clerk, Clarence E. Meleney, superintendent of schools, Rev. 
George Skene, Hon. C. G. Pope, and other well-known men were 
brought out. Some of them were good, and some of them were 
rather crude. 

A West Somerville department was begun in the Journal of 
March 3, 1888, and a branch oiifice was opened in Davis square. 
This department is now one of the leading features of the paper. 
In the issue of August 11, 1888, there was an interesting edito- 
rial, "A Look Backward." giving valuable historical data regard- 
ing Somerville. 

There has been much discussion over the original Mary 
and her little lamb. In the Journal of September 1, 1888, ap- 
pears an illustrated article which should forever set at rest the 
question, and in the issue of October 12, 1889, is a sketch, "Ran- 
dom Recollections," by C. S. O'Neil, which would be of interest 
to this society. 

Since the close of 1889 uo advertisements have appeared on 
the first page of the Journal, despite the many offers of special 
prices, the manager believing that the appearance of the paper 
is improved thereby, and is much more acceptable to the readers. 

In the Journal of January 25, 1890, is the report of an his- 
torical lecture by Quincy A. Vinal, given before the Unitarian 
Club, entitled "Fifty Years Ago." This is an exceedingly inter- 
esting article, especially valuable to the historical society. Let- 
ters of travel have been a prominent feature in the Journal, some 
of them beautifully illustrated. These began in the early part of 
1890, and many prominent people have contributed to them. 

A history of the Somerville churches was published in 1890, 



19 

as well as "Somerville Sketches/' by C. D. Elliot. A series of 
articles on the schools, with pictures of the principals, was also 
given in the same year. 

The Somerville hospital was first brought to the attention of 
the public by an article in the Journal of May 24, 1890, showing 
the need of one, and asking for support for it. Near the end of 
1890, November 29, I find an article on Somerville's war history, 
which is of interest to all patriotic people. 

It has become a custom now to print biographical sketches 
and pictures of the incoming mayor and aldermen ; this custom 
was instituted January 1, 1891, and although the pictures then 
were small, and but wood cuts, it denoted a great amount of en- 
terprise, in a newspaper way, to collect and publish them. 

A few dates regarding special historic articles may be of 
value to this society. In the Journal of March 7, 1891, appears 
an article on "Somerville Forty Years Ago," and May 16 a series 
of historical sketches by the late John S. Hayes was begun. 

The first half-tone cuts used in a Somerville paper were in 
the Journal in 1891, representing the establishment of Sprague & 
Hathaway. 

The fiftieth anniversary of Somerville will not soon be for- 
gotten. This was first brought to the attention of the public in 
the columns of the Journal March 14, 1891, and was continually 
urged and supported until the fete day came, in June, 1892. The 
Journal of June 18, 1892, was a souvenir edition, and was a six- 
teen-page, handsomely-illustrated number ; twenty half-tone cuts 
of views of the procession, squares, decorations, speakers, etc., 
were given, and special editions were printed every hour during 
the day. This paper was really a work of art, and received com- 
mendation from all the newspaper world. A fine souvenir book, 
containing historical articles, sketches of prominent citizens, 
stories of the anniversary, all fully illustrated, was issued — 15,000 
copies being disposed of. 

The Journal of March 5, 1892, was a decidedly strange look- 
ing one. On the first page it had a reproduction of the town rec- 



ords of the town meetin.e^ of March 4, 1842, quaint, as you can 
well imagine, the first half-tone cut of an individual, and also a 
new Somerville Journal heading. This latter did not please the 
people ; letters were received in every mail asking that the familiar 
old heading be restored, and after two weeks' trial of the plainer 
and later style heading, the old one resumed its place, there to 
remain as long as the Journal is published. 

A new department was added to the Journal in March, 1893, 
the Woman's Page, containing news of women's clubs and so- 
cieties, helpful things in the household, bits of advice to mothers, 
and general matters of interest to women. It was intended that 
this page should be helpful to all, supporting the best things, do- 
ing w^hat it could to aid the cause of women in the home, and in 
public matters. It has been under my management since its be- 
ginning, although valuable contributions have been given by 
m.any Somerville women. Different series of articles have been 
published on this page, many of them illustrated, the most recent 
one being "Our Ministers' Wives." 

In Julv, 189-1, the Journal moved from Hill building into a 
brick building at No. 8 Walnut street, which the company built 
for its own occupancy, with everything in the best possible shape 
for effective and thorough work, and in the summer of 1896 two 
Mergenthaler type-setting machines were added to the plant. 
These machines are the only ones in Somerville, and the work 
accomplished with them is marvelous. 

An historical article on Somerville from 1870 to 1894 (illus- 
irated) was published November 24, 1894, and in May, 1895, a 
series of articles giving a complete list of the soldiers who went 
from Somerville was printed. Later on, in November, 1895, an 
illustrated article on the Journal's quarter century, with a history 
of the paper, was given, and many of the news items of that date 
were reproduced. Another interesting historical sketch was that 
of J. O. Twombly, printed in the Journal of March 5, 1897. 
"Looking Backward — Somerville Twenty-five Years Ago/' pub- 
lished July 2, 1897, and an exhaustive story on Prospect hill in 



21 

relation to the park, in the Journal of January 28, 1898, are both 
valuable and interestin,2:. 

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ 

In writing a history of journalism in Somerville I find that 
most of the material is under the rafters of some one's attic, and 
it is much easier to obtain a history of Somerville people and Som- 
erville institutions from the papers than to get a history of the 
papers from the people. I have given you many dates which are 
not especially interesting, but they may prove valuable to some 
one in future writing historical sketches. Somerville papers 
have reason to be proud of their supporters and loyal friends. 
Somerville, as a city, should be proud of her clean, progressive, 
helpful local papers. 




Somerville Historical Society. 



Incorporated November 9, 1898. 



Headquarters, the old Tufts House, 78 Sycamore street,- 
famous as having been the headquarters of General Charles Lee, 
1775. 

Stated meetings are held on the first Monday in October, 
December, February, and April, the last being the annual 
meeting. 

Beginning with June 5, 1901, the headquarters of the His- 
torical Society v/ill 1)e open to the members and friends, also to 
strangers, on Wednesdays between the hours of 3 and 5 p. m. It 
is desirable that all members and friends having interesting relics 
loan them to the society for these afternoons, thus adding some- 
what to the attractiveness of the rooms. A representative of the 
Library Committee will be in attendance each week, who will re- 
ceipt for same. 

There is also an effort being made to increase the library — 
donations of books suited to the needs of an historical society are 
respectfully solicited. It has been suggested, and the idea is a 
good one, that each member give one volume, and so greatly im- 
prove the collection. Should duplicates be brought in, the libra- 
rian could readily exchange such books for others desired, if the 
donors would so agree. 

The outings have been inaugurated, and, judging from the 
hearty approval received by the president and the committee, will 
prove a very interesting feature of the season. Among others, 
the following societies will be visited on the dates indicated : — 

Peabody, June 29 ; Concord, July 6 ; Plymouth, July 20 ; 
Marblehead, August 3; Woburn, August 17; Newburyport, 
August 31 ; Bedford, September 7. Lexington was visited June 
15, when the many objects of interest were seen and places visited, 
under the guidance of Rev. Charles A. Staples of the Lexington 
Societv. 



23 

For the coming fall and winter, the regular semi-monthly 
■meetings will be Held, when essays or talks will be given by rep- 
resentative men and women interested in historical matters, and 
will be fully up to the high standard of previous seasons. Among 
others, the following have been secured: Mrs. M. D. Frazar, 
George B. Clark, Sara A. Stone, Levi L. Hawes, all of Somer- 
ville, and Ellen M. Wright, of Medford. 



Historic Spots. 

The marking of the many historical places in Somerville is 
one of the things to which the Historical Society is giving its at- 
tention. Last year, on its petition to the city, the outline of the 
famous French Redoubt on Central hill was designated by granite 
monuments set in the ground ; a tablet showing the form of the 
work, etc., was placed alongside of the one descriptive of the 
present battery, but by some oversight the fact that the mark- 
ing was done on petition of our society does not appear on the 
tablet. 

This year the society has again petitioned for the permanent 
marking of quite a number of other interesting places. This 
petition was quickly referred to a committee, and the proper order 
passed to carry out the suggestion. The list of places is as 
follows : — 

On Masonic block, Union square: "Site of recruiting stand for Union 
soldiers in Civil war." 

On Asylum hill (Cobble hill): "Site of 'Putnam's impregnable fortress,' 
1775." 

On Convent hill (Ploughed hill) : " Fortified and bombarded in 1775-76. 
Site of Ursuline convent, founded 1820, and opened 1826; burned 1834. Hill 
dug down 1875 to 1897." 

On south side Mystic avenue (nearly opposite coal wharf) : "Old fort. Ex- 
treme left of American army 1775-76. Commanded Mystic river." 

In Broadway park : "Route of Middlesex canal. Chartered 1793; opened 
1803." 



24 



At Somerville and Charlestown line on Washington street: "Paul Revere, 
on his famous ride, April 18, 1775, was intercepted here by British officers, and 
escaped." 

Old cellar hole east of Middlesex avenue, near old wharf and Wellington 
bridge: " Site of Governor John Winthrop's house, 1631." 

On Ten Hills farm: "Site of the mansion of Robert Temple, afterward 
Colonel Jaqufcs." 

On old wharf, east of Middlesex avenue, near new bridge, south shore 
Mystic river: " Ancient wharf. Here Governor Winthrop launched the ' Bless- 
ing of the Bay,' the first ship built in Massachusetts, July 4, 1631. The British 
landed here in their raid on the Powder house September 1, 1774." 

On Prospect hill : " Site of old wind mill." 

Perhaps the most important of these is the spot where the 
"Blessing of the Bay" was launched — the first craft built in the 
country. This little vessel, the pioneer of all those merchantmen 
built along the Mystic in after years, becoming later an armed 
cruiser, protecting the infant coasting trade and fishing craft in 
the waters of New England, the progenitor, in fact, of our modern 
navy, the spot where it was launched might well be called the 
"Birthplace of the United States Navy." Surely it deserves 
special recognition at the hands of a patriotic and prosperous 
community. 







MEMBERSHIP 

3§^ OF ©&g^ 

50MERVILLE HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 



OFFICERS I90J-J902. 

John F. Ayer, President. 

Elbridge S. Brooks, First Vice-President. 

Luther B. Pillsbury, Second Vice-President. 

James F. Whitney, Third Vice-President. 

Oliver Bacon, Treasurer. 

Florence E. Carr, Recording Secretary. 

Mrs. V. E. Ayer, Corresponding Secretary. 

Alfred M. Cutler, Librarian and Curator. 

At Large 

Charles D. Elliot. L. Roger Wentworth. 

Anna P. Vinal. 



COMMITTEES 

Historic Sites 

Joseph O. Hayden, Chairman. Charles D. Elliot. 

Dr. Edward C. Booth. 

Essays and Addresses 

Luther B. Pillsbury, Chairman. Seth Mason. 

John F. Ayer. Anna P. Vinal. 

Charles D. Elliot. Mrs. V. E. Ayer. 

Lizzie F. Wait. Levi L. Hawes. 



26 



Library and Cabinet 

Alfred M. Cutler, Chairman. James F. Whitney. 

Howard Dawson. Mrs. Helen E. Heald. 

Mrs. V. E. Ayer. 

Photographs 
B. B. D. Bourne, Chairman. Charles W. Colman. 

Publications 

Elbridge S. Brooks, Chairman. Charles I. Shepard. 

Mrs. Barbara Galpin. Howard Dawson. 

Sam Walter Foss. Frank M. Hawes. 

Press and Clippings 

Anna P. Vinal, Chairman. Mary A. Haley. 

M. Agnes Hunt. Lucy M. Stone. 

Necrology 

James F. Whitney, Chairman. Mrs. Helen E. Heald. 

Mrs. E. A. Maynard. 

Military Records 
Edwin C. Bennett, Chairman. John H. Dusseault. 

Outings 

Seth Mason, Chairman. J. Edward Porter. 

Mrs. Emma Prichard Hadley. Herbert L. Adams. 

Finance 

The President. The First Vice-President. 

The Treasurer. 



27 

HONORARY MEMBER 
Charles Hicks Saunders, Cambridge. /<iU, tu-Oi ^<3^_ 



LIFE MEMBERS 



John F. Ayer. 
George L. Baxter. 
James F. Beard. 
Alfred M. Cutler. 
George H. Derby. 
Frank E. Dickerman. 
Charles D. Elliot. 
Mrs. Charles D. Elliot. 
John S. Emerson. 
Mrs. Annie L. Fletcher. 
Mrs. Eunice M. Gilmore. 
Edward Glines. 



Charles Williams, Jr. 



Joseph O. Hayden. 
George E. Littlefield. 
Samuel T. Littlefield. 
Frederick W. Parker. 
George O. Proctor. 
Frederic W. Stone. 
Charles S. Sanborn. 
Albert C. Tufts. 
Mina J. Wendell. 
L. Roger Wentworth. 
J. Frank Wellington. 
Benjamin F. Wild. 



ACTIVE MEMBERS 



Allen, Mrs. Hannah J. 
Anderson, Abbie A. 
Armstrong, Mrs. H. B. 
Arnold, L. Frank 
Ayer, John F. 
Ayer, Mrs. V. E. 
Adams, Herbert L. 
Bacon, Oliver 
Bailey, Ernest W. 
Bailey, Harold C. 
Baldwin, Fred C. 
JBall, John N. 
Barber, William L. 



Battelle, Mrs. Sarah J. 
Baxter, George L. 
Beard, James F. 
Bennett, Dana W. 
Bennett, Edwin C. 
Binney, Edward A. 
Blodgett, Mrs. E. 
Booth, Edward C. 
Bourne, Belding B. D. 
Bowers, Charles E. 
Bowman, Selwyn Z. 
Beyer. Francis H. 
Boyer, Mrs. Abbea P. 



28 



Bridgham, Percy A. 
Brigham, William E. 
Brine, Hannah S. 
Brooks, Elbridge S. 
Brooks, Mrs. Elbridge S. 
Brown, George+E. 
Bruce, George A. 
Bullard, Walter H. 
Butler, John Haskell 
Capen, Rev. Elmer H. 
Carpenter, Allen F. 
Carr, Mrs. Abbie 
Carr, Florence E. 
Carr, Martin W. 
Carr, Mrs. Martin W. 
Carvill, Dr. A. H. 
Chamberlain, Russell T. 
Chamberlain, Harriet A. 
Chapman, Annetta F, 
Chase, Daniel E. 
Clark, Herbert L. 
Clark, Wilmcr B. » 

Clarke, Wilbur S. 
Codding. Walter M. 
Cohen, James 
Cole, Adalbert E. 
Colman, Charles W. 
Corthell, W. I. 
Cox, Edward 
Cox, Mrs. Emma A. 
Cox, Edward S. 
Cox, S. Jennie 
Cushman, William H. 
Cutler, Alfred M. 
Cutler, James R. 
Cutler, S. Newton 
Davis, Dr. R. A. 
Davis, Joshua H. 
Davlin, James F. 
Dawson, Howard 
Derby, George H. 
Dickerman. Frank E. 



Dickerman. Mrs. Frank E. 
Dickerman, Quincy E. 
Dickerman, Mrs. Quincy E. 
Dolbear, A. E. 
Doyle, Edward W. 
Downer, Mrs. Frank W. 
Downer, Roswell C. 
Draper, Sarah M. 
Dusseault, John Henry 
Earle, Samuel C. 
Edlefson, Mrs. Helen F. 
Edmands, Albert W. 
Elliot, Charles D. 
Elliot, Mrs. Charles D. 
Elliot, Clara Z. 
Elliot, Mary E. 
Emerson, John S. 
Emerson, Mrs. Charlotte P. 
Fillebrown, Rebecca A. 
Fitts, Frank E. 
Fitz, Mrs. Harriet A. 
Fleischner, Otto 
Fletcher, William K. 
Fletcher, Mrs. Annie L. 
Flint, Warren F. 
Flint, Mary B. 
Folsom, Charles C. 
Foss, Sam Walter 
Frazar, Mrs. Mae D. 
Freeman, Benjamin F. 
Frye, Mrs. C. H. 
Galpin, Mrs. Barbara 
Giles, Joseph J. 
Gillett, B. W. 
Gilmore, Mrs. Eunice M. 
Gilson, Howard A. 
Gilson, Mary E. 
Gilson, Valentine E. 
Glines, Edward 
Gordon, George A. 
Grieves, Walter F. 
Grover, Nelson H. 



29 



Hadley, Emma Prichard 

Hadley, S. Henry 

Haley, Mary A. 

Hall, John E. 

Harmer, J. T. 

Haskell, Albert L. 

Hawes, Frank M. 

Hawes, Mrs. Harriet F. 

Hawes, Levi L. 

Hayden, Joseph O. 

Hayes, Mrs. Emma S. 

Heald, Mrs. Helen E. 

Hemenway, Charles M. 

Henderson, Caroline E, 

Herbert, John 

Hodgkins, William H. 

Holden, Frank S. 

Hopkins, James R. 

Howard, J. C. 

Hubbard, Orrin C. 

Hunt, M. Agnes. 

Johnson, Edith 

Jones, William P. 

Joyce, xVTary H. 

Kaan, Frank W. 

Kaula, F. Edward 

Kelley, James E. 

Kendall, Isaac B. 

Kidder, Andrew M. 

Kidder, Arthur T. 

Kimball, George A. 

Kimball, Mrs. George A. 

Knapp, Marion 

Knapp, Mrs. O. S. 

Lake, Mrs. Alice E. 

Lapham, F. DeWitt 

Lapham, Mrs. Jennie H. 

Leighton, James H. 

Leighton, Mrs. James H. 

Libbey, Mrs. Katherine B. W. 

Lincoln, Charles P. 

Lincoln, Mrs. Emma A. 



Lincoln, Williston 
Littlefield, George E. 
Littlefield, Samuel T. 
Littlefield, Mrs. Samuel T. 
Loring, Ernest J. 
Loring, Mrs. Ernest J. 
Loring, George F. 
Loring, Mrs. George F. 
Lowe, Martha Perry 
Luce, Robert 
Luce, Mrs. Mabelle F. 
Marsh, G. Roscoe 
Marshall, George L. 
Mason, Seth 
Maulsby, David L. 
Maulsby, Mrs. Lillian F. 
Maynard, Mrs. E. A. 
McKay, Miss E. J. 
McKay, Mary M. 
IMerrifield, Fred H. 
Merrill, Frank E. 
Miller, Mrs. Mary J. 
Minot, Mrs. Harriet G. 
Mitchell, Walter H. 
Mulliken, John E. A. 
Nichols, John L. 
Nichols, Mrs. John L. 
Northup, Mary E. 
O'Malley, Thomas F. 
Padelford, H. D. 
Page, Caleb A. 
Palmer, Harold P. 
Parker, Frederick W. 
Parker, Mrs. Frederick W. 
Parkhurst, Clara B. 
Parks, Charles E. 
Pease, E. L. 
Perry, Albion A. 
Phillips, Dr. Eugenie M. 
Pillsbury, Luther B. 
Pillsbury, Mrs. Mary A. 
Pitman, Henry W. 



30 



Poole, George S. 
Porter J. Edward 
Pope, Mrs. Charles G. 
Proctor, George O. 
Raymond. Frank H. 
Reed, Mrs. Clara B. 
Reynolds, James F. 
Richards, Samuel T. 
Robinson, Albert M. 
Rowcll, Cromwell G. 
Rymes, Christopher E. 
Salmon, Stephen D. 
Sanborn, Charles E. 
Sanborn. Clifton P. 
Sanborn, Lillian K. H. 
Sanborn, William A. 
Sawyer, Charles W. 
Sawyer, Walter S. 
Shepard, Charles I. 
Skilton, George C. 
Smith, Arthur A. 
Smith, Marie T. 
Smith, Nellie Pierce 
Smith, Mrs. Sarah A. 
Snow, Lemuel H. 
Sellers, Mrs. Alida G. 
Bouthworth, Gordon A, 
Southworth, Mrs. Gordon A. 
Stiles, Mary E. 
Stone, Frederic W. 
Stone, Lucy M. 
Stone, Sara A. 
Story, Isaac 
Story, Isaac M. 
Stover, Annie G. 
Sylvester, Clara A. 
Sylvester, John E. 
Ta>lor, Clara 
Taylor, Isadore E. 
Teele, Frank A. 
Teele, P. Jenette 
Thornton, Mrs. S. Frances 



Tilden, Elmer E. 
Tilden, Mrs. Elmer E. 
Tincker, Helen 
Titus, Rev. Anson 
Tuell, Harriet E. 
Tufts, Albert C. 
Tufts, Francis 
Tufts, Martha 
Tufts, M. Alice 
Tufts, Mrs. Mary T. L. 
Valentine, Herbert E. 
Vinal, Anna P. 
Vinal, Augusta S. 
Vinal, Louise A. 
Vinal, Quincy A. 
Vincent. George I. 
Wade, Rufus R. 
Wadsworth, George M. 
Wait, Lizzie F. 
Walker, Mrs. Mary E. 
Wallon, Lewis A. 
Waters, Elizabeth A. 
Watters, Walter F. 
Vvatters, Elizabeth S. 
Wellington, J. Frank 
Wendell, Miss Mina J. 
Wentworth, L. Roger 
Wentworth, Thomas S. 
West, Charles A. 
West, Mrs. Charles A. 
Westgate, Alice L. 
Whipple, George A. 
Whitcom.b, Charles T. C. 
White, Dr. H. C. 
White, J. Harvey 
White, W. W. 
Whitehouse, William A. 
Whitehouse, Mrs. Jennie E. 
Whiting, Mrs George 
Whitney, James F. 
Wild, B. F. 
Wildes, Charles F. 



31 



Williams, Charles, Jr. 
Williston, B. T. 
Williston, Mrs. B. T. 
Winning, Mrs. Mary E. 
Winship, Albert E. 



Woods, James H. 
Woods, John M. 
Woods, Mrs. Lucy A. 
Wyman, Alphonso A. 



CORRESPONDING MEMBERS 

Charles Carroll Dawson, Toledo, O. 

John Tyler Hassam. 

Rev. Carlton A. Staples, Lexington, Mass. 



Q 



